The Rosenberg/Strange Fruit Project.

Most know of the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg case, but few know the story of their youngest child, Robert, orphaned at six following his parents’ execution for espionage. The boy was adopted by Abel Meeropol who wrote the song “Strange Fruit” seared into America’s consciousness by Billie Holiday. Written and performed by award-winning actor/playwright John Jiler, The Rosenberg/Strange Fruit Project plumbs America’s character and history, both sweet and sour, through the telling of that remarkable story. Accompanied by clarinetist Sweet Lee Odom, Jiler weaves together strands of American history, political movements, Klezmer, and jazz, along with themes of personal and social responsibility. Irreverent and reflective, at turns poignant and wickedly funny, Jiler’s script considers an American melting pot that’s more like a simmering cauldron threatening to boil over. Directed by Margarett Perry

★★★★

“Captivating and remarkable. Clarinetist Lee Odom accompanies the action beautifully and sensitively.”

— One4Review

“And so it becomes clear that Jiler did not become interested in this story because something extraordinary happened in 1953, but because the story continues to resonate, and the political cycles that were in play in 1953 continue to repeat.”

— NJ Arts

★★★★★

”In a remarkable performance, John Jiler switches easily from one character to the next, including in his stride Robert at different ages, Abe Meeropol, the black rights historian W E B Dubois, the bigoted right-wing judge at the Rosenbergs trial Irving Kaufman and the singer Billie Holiday among others. Each character is brought brilliantly to life. Jiler is a good deal of the time accompanied by the clarinettist Lee Odom. He explains that ‘the clarinet is the unifying sound between the Jewish (klezmer) and Black (jazz) cultures’. A key theme of the piece is the shared history of persecution and oppression.”

—British Theatre Guide

“The Rosenberg/Strange Fruit Project serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, highlighting the powerful influence of the Meeropol family on American history.”

— The Edinburgh Reporter

“Jiler’s fertile imagination and compelling, probing script brought me shivers. The evening is underpinned by the gorgeous live clarinet performance of Lee Odom, which makes clear emotional connections between Eastern European Klezmer music and American Jazz.”

- American Theatre Magazine

★★★★★

“Remarkable and Eloquent.”

-British Theatre Guide

“Lee Odom’s clarinet adds unquestionable emotion to the production. She is a major supporting character [and her] musical work makes clear connections between Eastern European Klezmer music and American Jazz.”

-American Theatre Magazine

“Odom’s music is the ‘second actor’ in this one-man tour-de-force, providing emotional balance to intellectual points of view. The use of clarinet and drums calls forth the ‘outsider’ cultures of Jewish-Americans and African-Americans in mid-20th century America.”

-Out in Jersey